Exam 3: NUR208 / NUR 208 (Latest
Update 2026) Mental Health Nursing
Questions and Verified ANSWERs 100%
Correct – Fortis
A client with major depressive disorder (MDD) states, "My family would be
much better off without me." What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Assess for a specific suicide plan
B) Encourage participation in group therapy
C) Offer a high-calorie, high-protein snack
D) Assist the client with activities of daily living (ADLs)
ANSWER: A
Rationale: A) Correct; this statement indicates suicidal ideation, making
immediate safety assessment the priority. B) Incorrect; group therapy is
therapeutic but secondary to ensuring the client is not an immediate danger
to themselves. C) Incorrect; nutrition is a physiological need but does not
supersede immediate safety. D) Incorrect; ADLs are important for
depressive care but safety must be established first.
Which assessment finding in a client with MDD requires immediate
intervention?
A) Reports of increased appetite
B) Giving away prized personal possessions
C) Difficulty concentrating on tasks
,D) Psychomotor retardation
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; increased appetite is a symptom of atypical
depression but not an immediate emergency. B) Correct; giving away
possessions is a strong warning sign of imminent suicide risk. C) Incorrect;
poor concentration is a common cognitive symptom of depression. D)
Incorrect; psychomotor retardation is a typical physical symptom of MDD.
A client prescribed an SSRI for MDD asks when they will feel better. What
is the nurse's best response based on 2026 guidelines?
A) "You should feel better within 24 to 48 hours."
B) "It typically takes 1 to 2 weeks to see initial improvements, and up to 4 to
6 weeks for full effect."
C) "You will feel better immediately after the first dose."
D) "It may take 3 to 4 months before you notice any change."
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; SSRIs do not work within 24-48 hours. B) Correct;
SSRIs typically require 1-2 weeks for initial onset and 4-6 weeks for full
therapeutic effect. C) Incorrect; immediate effects are usually just side
effects, not therapeutic mood improvement. D) Incorrect; 3-4 months is too
long to wait before evaluating initial efficacy.
A client with MDD is prescribed a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI).
Which dietary choice indicates a need for further teaching?
A) Grilled chicken breast
B) Aged cheddar cheese and cured salami
C) Fresh apples and bananas
D) White rice and steamed broccoli
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; fresh meats are safe and do not contain tyramine.
B) Correct; aged cheeses and cured meats are high in tyramine, which can
,cause a hypertensive crisis when combined with an MAOI. C) Incorrect;
fresh fruits are safe. D) Incorrect; grains and fresh vegetables are safe.
Which instruction is most important for a client taking lithium for bipolar
disorder?
A) Restrict fluid intake to prevent edema.
B) Maintain a consistent, adequate intake of salt and water.
C) Stop the medication immediately if a rash develops.
D) Take the medication on an empty stomach for better absorption.
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; fluid restriction can lead to lithium toxicity. B)
Correct; lithium is a salt; decreased sodium or fluid intake causes the
kidneys to retain lithium, leading to toxicity. C) Incorrect; the client should
notify the provider, but stopping abruptly can cause relapse. D) Incorrect;
lithium can be taken with food to minimize GI upset.
A client on lithium therapy presents with tremors, confusion, and vomiting.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Administer a PRN antiemetic
B) Hold the next dose of lithium and notify the healthcare provider
immediately
C) Encourage the client to drink extra fluids
D) Reassure the client that these are common, mild side effects
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; this treats the symptom but ignores the life-
threatening cause. B) Correct; these are classic signs of lithium toxicity; the
medication must be held and the provider notified for a stat lithium level. C)
Incorrect; while hydration is important, holding the med and notifying the
provider is the priority. D) Incorrect; these are signs of toxicity, not mild side
effects.
, A client experiencing a manic episode in the bipolar I disorder unit is
hyperactive and has not eaten in 24 hours. What is the best nutritional
intervention?
A) Serve large, high-calorie meals in the dining room
B) Provide high-calorie, high-protein finger foods that can be eaten while
moving
C) Restrain the client in a chair during mealtimes
D) Require the client to sit still for 30 minutes before offering food
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; the dining room is too distracting, and the client
lacks the attention span for a large meal. B) Correct; finger foods allow the
client to eat while maintaining their high activity level, ensuring caloric
intake. C) Incorrect; restraint is the least restrictive option and inappropriate
for this behavior. D) Incorrect; a manic client cannot sit still for 30 minutes.
Which medication is considered a first-line mood stabilizer for acute mania
and maintenance in bipolar I disorder?
A) Sertraline
B) Lithium carbonate
C) Alprazolam
D) Haloperidol
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; sertraline is an SSRI antidepressant, which can
trigger mania. B) Correct; lithium is a classic, first-line mood stabilizer for
bipolar disorder. C) Incorrect; alprazolam is a benzodiazepine used for
anxiety. D) Incorrect; haloperidol is an antipsychotic, sometimes used for
acute agitation, but lithium is the primary mood stabilizer.
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproate (Depakote). Which
laboratory test must be monitored regularly?
A) Complete blood count (CBC)
B) Liver function tests (LFTs)
Update 2026) Mental Health Nursing
Questions and Verified ANSWERs 100%
Correct – Fortis
A client with major depressive disorder (MDD) states, "My family would be
much better off without me." What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Assess for a specific suicide plan
B) Encourage participation in group therapy
C) Offer a high-calorie, high-protein snack
D) Assist the client with activities of daily living (ADLs)
ANSWER: A
Rationale: A) Correct; this statement indicates suicidal ideation, making
immediate safety assessment the priority. B) Incorrect; group therapy is
therapeutic but secondary to ensuring the client is not an immediate danger
to themselves. C) Incorrect; nutrition is a physiological need but does not
supersede immediate safety. D) Incorrect; ADLs are important for
depressive care but safety must be established first.
Which assessment finding in a client with MDD requires immediate
intervention?
A) Reports of increased appetite
B) Giving away prized personal possessions
C) Difficulty concentrating on tasks
,D) Psychomotor retardation
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; increased appetite is a symptom of atypical
depression but not an immediate emergency. B) Correct; giving away
possessions is a strong warning sign of imminent suicide risk. C) Incorrect;
poor concentration is a common cognitive symptom of depression. D)
Incorrect; psychomotor retardation is a typical physical symptom of MDD.
A client prescribed an SSRI for MDD asks when they will feel better. What
is the nurse's best response based on 2026 guidelines?
A) "You should feel better within 24 to 48 hours."
B) "It typically takes 1 to 2 weeks to see initial improvements, and up to 4 to
6 weeks for full effect."
C) "You will feel better immediately after the first dose."
D) "It may take 3 to 4 months before you notice any change."
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; SSRIs do not work within 24-48 hours. B) Correct;
SSRIs typically require 1-2 weeks for initial onset and 4-6 weeks for full
therapeutic effect. C) Incorrect; immediate effects are usually just side
effects, not therapeutic mood improvement. D) Incorrect; 3-4 months is too
long to wait before evaluating initial efficacy.
A client with MDD is prescribed a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI).
Which dietary choice indicates a need for further teaching?
A) Grilled chicken breast
B) Aged cheddar cheese and cured salami
C) Fresh apples and bananas
D) White rice and steamed broccoli
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; fresh meats are safe and do not contain tyramine.
B) Correct; aged cheeses and cured meats are high in tyramine, which can
,cause a hypertensive crisis when combined with an MAOI. C) Incorrect;
fresh fruits are safe. D) Incorrect; grains and fresh vegetables are safe.
Which instruction is most important for a client taking lithium for bipolar
disorder?
A) Restrict fluid intake to prevent edema.
B) Maintain a consistent, adequate intake of salt and water.
C) Stop the medication immediately if a rash develops.
D) Take the medication on an empty stomach for better absorption.
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; fluid restriction can lead to lithium toxicity. B)
Correct; lithium is a salt; decreased sodium or fluid intake causes the
kidneys to retain lithium, leading to toxicity. C) Incorrect; the client should
notify the provider, but stopping abruptly can cause relapse. D) Incorrect;
lithium can be taken with food to minimize GI upset.
A client on lithium therapy presents with tremors, confusion, and vomiting.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Administer a PRN antiemetic
B) Hold the next dose of lithium and notify the healthcare provider
immediately
C) Encourage the client to drink extra fluids
D) Reassure the client that these are common, mild side effects
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; this treats the symptom but ignores the life-
threatening cause. B) Correct; these are classic signs of lithium toxicity; the
medication must be held and the provider notified for a stat lithium level. C)
Incorrect; while hydration is important, holding the med and notifying the
provider is the priority. D) Incorrect; these are signs of toxicity, not mild side
effects.
, A client experiencing a manic episode in the bipolar I disorder unit is
hyperactive and has not eaten in 24 hours. What is the best nutritional
intervention?
A) Serve large, high-calorie meals in the dining room
B) Provide high-calorie, high-protein finger foods that can be eaten while
moving
C) Restrain the client in a chair during mealtimes
D) Require the client to sit still for 30 minutes before offering food
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; the dining room is too distracting, and the client
lacks the attention span for a large meal. B) Correct; finger foods allow the
client to eat while maintaining their high activity level, ensuring caloric
intake. C) Incorrect; restraint is the least restrictive option and inappropriate
for this behavior. D) Incorrect; a manic client cannot sit still for 30 minutes.
Which medication is considered a first-line mood stabilizer for acute mania
and maintenance in bipolar I disorder?
A) Sertraline
B) Lithium carbonate
C) Alprazolam
D) Haloperidol
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A) Incorrect; sertraline is an SSRI antidepressant, which can
trigger mania. B) Correct; lithium is a classic, first-line mood stabilizer for
bipolar disorder. C) Incorrect; alprazolam is a benzodiazepine used for
anxiety. D) Incorrect; haloperidol is an antipsychotic, sometimes used for
acute agitation, but lithium is the primary mood stabilizer.
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproate (Depakote). Which
laboratory test must be monitored regularly?
A) Complete blood count (CBC)
B) Liver function tests (LFTs)
